Newburyport Fire Department Offers Cold Weather Safety Tips

NEWBURYPORT — With extremely low temperatures hitting New England, which are not expected to let up until some time in January, Chief/Emergency Management Director Christopher LeClaire and the Newburyport Fire Department would like to provide the community with several important safety tips.

According to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, daytime high temperatures will likely not rise above the teens from Thursday through the weekend, and high temperatures in some inland locations may not rise above the single digits. Overnight low temperatures will likely drop below zero.

The coldest periods are forecast to be Wednesday night into Thursday morning and Thursday night into Friday morning. Another bout of especially cold wind chills is possible Saturday night into Sunday morning and Sunday night into Monday morning.

“When temperatures are this low, it can quickly become very dangerous to be outside for any period of time,” Chief LeClaire said. “We ask that residents take precautions if and when they have to be outdoors, and that they prepare their homes and vehicles for the cold weather.”

With this type of weather, frostbite and hypothermia are possible for those without proper protection from the cold. To stay safe, the Newburyport Fire Department asks that residents follow these tips from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:

Minimize outdoor activities for the whole family, including pets.

If outside, dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves) and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors to ensure their safety.

Additionally, because of the extreme cold, other areas of your home and vehicles may be affected:

Increased fire risk due to unsafe/improper use of alternative heating sources or people trying to thaw frozen pipes with blowtorches or similar devices.

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the area of the water pipe that might be frozen. Likely places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame devices. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

Possible increase in incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe/improper use of alternative heating sources.

Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as alternate emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity.

When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as an emergency generator, your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, make sure they are properly ventilated and always operate a generator outdoors and away from your home. Improper use of heating devices can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in the home.